Common Name:
mountain aloe
Family Name:
Xanthorrhoeaceae
Botanical Name:
Aloe marlothii
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The leaves of the mountain aloe can grow up to two and a half feet long and seven inches wide. The leaves are also spiny and sharp.
Compound:
Alo mar
Geographic Origin:
Africa
Ecozone Origin:
Afrotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
This species is native to Africa. It has been distribute to North-West Province, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumulanga, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique to KwaZulu-Natal north of Durban (2).
Cultivation Notes:
Aloe marlothii is similar to A. ferox, but has many strong spines along the leaf margins and both surfaces. The plants develop a beautiful coppery color in strong sunlight. The inflorescence emerges from the rosette at an angle.
Ethnobotany:
Aloe marlothii can be outstanding by itself in a desert landscape. The flowers attract hummingbirds when in bloom.
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Grow Season:
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Orange
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
- Urban Landscape Committee. Desert Accent Plants. Arizona Native Plant Society, 1992
- .pza.sanbi.org
